And Lutheran West junior Parker Watson is suddenly the leader on his team.

Watson, a Division III state alternate last season, is ready to take the next step in his career, both on the mat and as a leader.

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No longer is Longhorns two-time state champion James Handwerk around. And it’s Parker’s time to step up.

“The last two years I was in his shadow,” Watson said after winning a match at the Lorain Kickoff Classic on Dec. 1. “I can now shine a little bit, but I also want the team to shine, too. But I’m kind of excited about not being in his shadow anymore.

“I want to make it to states but that’s not where I want it to end. I obviously want to go a lot farther than that and hopefully get on podium, maybe on top.”

Watson wrestled at 132 pounds last year and is a bit stronger now. He’s a top 11 state-ranked wrestler to start the season and is wrestling at 138 but plans to drop back down to 132. He went to Fargo, N.D. over the summer and participated at a training camp there before getting hurt.

But the experience nonetheless paid off.

“I’m better on top now,” Watson said. “Last year I couldn’t hold people down much.”

Wrestling runs in Watson’s family. His father, Mark, and brother Brad, both wrestled at Lutheran West.

“I grew up watching my brother wrestle at Lutheran West,” he added. “It’s kind of a tradition and I wish I took it more serious when I was younger because I would be a lot better.”

Longhorns coach Dave Ressler, in his 22nd season, wasn’t in attendance at the Lorain Classic, but has been around long enough to watch enough greats come through the program, such as the aforementioned Handwerk and Josh Malave, a state-placer (third) at the school.

Watson, a conference champion who went 35-8 last season, wants to climb his way up the ranks to join those wrestlers in Longhorns lore. With two years to further hone his craft and make an imprint on the program, it’s an opportunity he doesn’t want to escape him.

And he will lean on Ressler to do so.

“He’s given me a better mentality about wrestling,” Watson said. “He’s kept my head straight. I was kind of a hot head coming into high school, but he’s calmed me down and kept me under control. It’s helped.”

Watson is a running back on the football team, and above all else, the multi-sport athlete wants to see his team have success in 2017-18. Lutheran West returns junior state qualifier Robert Pinkie (120) and boasts six juniors, four sophomores, two freshmen and one senior.

“We have more guys, better talent,” Watson added. “Guys returning from last year and I have a strong hope for winning conference.”

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About the Author

Fuad grew up in Detroit, Mich. and graduated from Wayne State University with a BA in Journalism. He worked for MLive Media Group in Grand Rapids, Mich. before joining The Morning Journal in December 2015. Fuad is a fan of the Detroit Pistons, Lions and Tigers, but promises not to tangle with Cleveland fans. Reach the author at fshalhout@morningjournal.com
or follow Fuad on Twitter: @shalhoutf.